Based on the ride home from Bavarian Hypersport here in Houston (nice quick job) I would say there is some impact improvement over big bumps and potholes, other than that it's about as before with the H-Sport springs. I'll leave my final report until I have a few more miles with the set-up.

Bit dissappointed about the approx 1/2" increase in ride height. If I had known that I would have just gone back to the stock set-up.

Sorry, not quite the glowing report that other have posted here.

Ulrich

 

drive it over here and i'll put your stock shocks back in for free and throw those pesky FSDs out for you....

 

Now there is an opportunist....

 

Ulrich,

Give it some time. I had the same feeling the first couple of days after I had the FSD's installed. It takes a little time for the shocks to settle in.

 

I hope so because right now I am somewhat ticked at myself for blowing $900 (shocks and install) for what right now feels like not very much of an improvement.

Ulrich

 

The final height should settle to about 1/4 inch higher than OE shocks + H-sports. The ride difference over the H-sport / OE shocks is subtle but will become more apparent as you experience different road surfaces. I have had the FSD / H-sport set up for about 2 months and I like it better every day. Not only are the ride and handling better, but the car is faster - the set up keeps the tires on the pavement. Other than the SC pulley this is my favorite mod so far. Make sure you get your wheels aligned. The FSD install threw my front toe out.

 

Larry,
Thanks for the reply. I am a little confused as I thought that the springs determine ride height, not the shocks. Since my H-Sports have been in the car for 3 years I don't think they will settle any more.

Ulrich

 

Are you trying to solve a ride harshness problem? If so, what else are you running? Your first post mentioned aftermarket springs. Are you running runflat tires? If you are (running runflat tires), definitely lose the runflats.

 

I have Yoko ES 100 non-runflats, H-Sports and the Koni FSDs.

 

What size wheel? And are you trying to solve a ride harshness problem (as in medical issues)?

 

high pressure gas shocks will have the effect of adding a bit of extra spring rate to your suspension.

However, I didn't really notice a change in ride height when I put my FSD's on, but I wasn't paying attention either.

I do think my car rides noticeably nicer than the stock SS+ shocks did. Not sure handling is improved, but it doesn't seem worse, so I guess I'm happy. I really didn't like the harsh ride of the stock dampers. And I bought my Mini specifically for autocross, so I expected a harsh ride. But it sure gets old

 

LOL, no medical issues apart from being 46. 17 inch non-runflat wheels and tires. I wasn't THAT unhappy with the H-Sport/stock shock set-up (3 years) it's just that the impact on major bumps and potholes was so harsh it made me worry about the car. Both my shock tophats were cracked, and yes passengers commented on the stiff ride.

I feel for my $900 bucks I got the same ride and a raised ride height.

Ulrich

 

You're right about the ride height, although it is just a little but, IMO dead WRONG about the "same ride." The FSDs handle better, are much less harsh and keep the wheels to the road.

 

Any remaining harshness you're feeling is due in large part to the 17" wheels and low profile tires. Switching to 16" or 15" wheels and tires will provide a dramatic difference in ride quality. I've driven Coopers with 15", 16", and 17" wheels, and even with the original sport suspension plus, the ride is noticeably improved with the smaller diameter wheels and tires.

-Keith

 

I think that what you are seeing with the H-Sports and ride harshness objections is the reality of the progressive quality of the H-Sports. (Although I doubt you want to consider losing the H-Sports....) Based on personal experience, the best solution for ride harshness would be to go to 16 inch wheels with /50 series non-runflat tires plus the FSDs. (This is with the SS+ (linear) springs.) I doubt that going to 16 inch (and probably not even 15 inch) wheels will adequately compensate for the progressive springs.

 

I had FSDs installed 6 months ago, with the stock SS+ springs.

I noticed an immediate and large improvement in ride quality. So did my wife.

Smooth-road handling might be a little better, might be the same, not sure... I've gone back and forth driving a friend's otherwide identical car on some good roads, and the handling seems pretty similar. Its possible I get slightly less roll in the corners than stock. It's also possible that the FSD car doesn't settle quite so quickly after a bump. Again, not sure...

Overall I'm very happy to be more noticeably comfortable with no loss of handling.
If your shocks aren't having the desired effect, seems like something is probably wrong. Most people seem to notice the effect right away.